charon

PRONUNCIATION:

(KER-uhn)

MEANING:

noun: A ferryman.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Charon, the old man who transported the souls of the dead across the
rivers Styx and Acheron to Hades. In some cultures a coin was put in the mouth
of the dead to pay for the ferry ride. Also see psychopomp.
Earliest documented use: 1522.